“I do, sir, unless you like to depend on steam; then you might knock off half-a-dozen, but you’d save nothing; coals at the depôts abroad are very dear. Better trust to your sails and keep the men.”
“Yes; I think you are right,” said Sir John. “What do you say, Instow?”
“Quite,” said the doctor.
“Very well then. Now about the crew; would they be willing: to engage to sail with me wherever I please, to bind themselves not to break their engagement without my leave till we return, even if it is for three years?”
“I could say yes, sir, for they’d follow me wherever I went, but I’ll ask them.”
“Do,” said Sir John.
The captain touched a table gong, and the steward appeared promptly.
“Go and ask Mr Bartlett to pipe all hands aft,” said the captain.
The man ascended, and the next minute the clear note of a whistle rang out, to be followed by the trampling of feet, and the captain rose, evidently satisfied at the promptitude with which his order was obeyed.
“They’re waiting sir,” he said.